Guidelines for using the low-value pool worksheet

Description of low-value asset: In this column include a brief description of any low-value assets you allocated to the pool for the current year. A low-value asset is a depreciating asset (other than a horticultural plant) that is not a low-cost asset but that has an opening adjustable value of less than $1,000 worked out using the diminishing value method.

Opening adjustable value of low-value asset: The adjustable value of any depreciating asset at any time is its cost (first and second elements) reduced by any decline in value up to that time. The opening adjustable value of an asset for an income year is generally the adjustable value at the end of the previous income year.

Taxable use percentage: When you allocate an asset to a low-value pool, you must make a reasonable estimate of the percentage of your use of the asset that will be for a taxable purpose over its effective life (for a low-cost asset) or its effective life remaining at the start of the income year it was allocated to the pool (for a low-value asset).

Reduced opening adjustable value of low-value asset: This is the taxable use percentage of the opening adjustable value of any low-value asset you have allocated to the pool for the income year.

Description of low-cost asset or second element of cost of asset in pool: In this column include a brief description of any low-cost assets you allocated to the pool for the income year. A low-cost asset is a depreciating asset (other than a horticultural plant) whose cost (first and second elements) as at the end of the year in which the start time occurred is less than $1,000. Also show in this column a description of any amounts included in the second element of cost of any assets in the pool at the end of the previous year and of any low-value assets allocated for this year. The second element of an asset’s cost is capital expenditure on the asset which is incurred after you start to hold it, such as a cost of improving the asset; see The cost of a depreciating asset.

Cost of low-cost asset and Second element of cost: Include the cost after you have made any adjustments, such as for GST input tax credits; see The cost of a depreciating asset.

Reduced cost of low-cost asset or second element of cost: This is the taxable use percentage multiplied by:

the cost of each low-cost asset you allocated to the pool for the income year

any amounts included in the second element of cost for the income year for

assets in the pool at the end of the previous year

low-value assets which you allocated to the pool in the current income year.

Termination value: Generally, the termination value is what you receive or are taken to have received for the asset as a result of a balancing adjustment event, such as the proceeds from selling the asset; see Termination value.

Reduced termination value: This is the taxable use percentage of the asset’s termination value. Use the taxable use percentage you estimated when you allocated the asset to the pool. This reduced termination value decreases the amount of the closing pool balance. If it exceeds the amount of the closing pool balance, make that balance zero and include the excess in assessable income. If you use the asset for a non-taxable purpose, a capital gain or capital loss may arise when a balancing adjustment event occurs for the asset; see Balancing adjustment event for a depreciating asset in a low-value pool.

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